U.S lifts electronics ban on Saudi Arabian Airlines

Published on : Tuesday, July 18, 2017

U.S. Transportation Security Administration said it would lift the electronics ban on Saudi Arabian Airlines carrying the gadgets like laptops on board of the US bound flights from the destinations like Dubai, Qatar and Kuwait. It was the last aircraft carrier, which was under the laptop ban restrictions.

Earlier in March 2017, the U.S. officials imposed the limitations on commuters carrying the laptops and other large electronic equipment in cabins on nine airlines. The bans are mostly to the Middle Eastern carriers for the potentiality of the threats of hidden explosives.

Last month, U.S. security officials announced the installation of the new security requirements for all airlines coming to US rather than an expansion of the laptop ban. So that the US officials put off the laptop ban and now they are stressing on the security system.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a modified circular to all the airlines around the world in response to clarify the security measures in the airlines, scheduled to begin taking effect later this week.

An airline official confirmed that the directive gave airlines more flexibility and additional time to attain explosive trace detection equipment. The official was not certified to talk about the sensitive security issues with the media. The directive comprises of the technical adjustments and has been approaching for changes to meet the new security requirements. U.S. Department of Homeland Security has also said that it could impose new restrictions on laptops if airlines do not make security upgrades.

The new requirements include the enhanced passenger screening at foreign airports, increased security etiquettes around aircraft and in passenger areas and expanded screening of both technical and canine. They affect 325,000 airline passengers on about 2,000 commercial flights arriving daily in the United States, on 180 airlines from 280 airports in 105 countries.

A group of airline companies, including the International Air Transport Association, criticised the new requirements for the no availability of the screening equipment technology and resources.